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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. The raising and lowering a pitch of an instrument to produce the correct tone of a note.






2. Music that is written and performed without regard to any specific key.






3. A 19th century square dance written for 4 couples.






4. A canon where the melody is sung in two or more voices. After the first voice begins - the next voice starts singing after a couple of measures are played in the preceding voice. All parts repeat continuously.






5. A piece of music written for two vocalists or instrumentalists.






6. A composition written for three to six voices. Beginning with the exposition - each voice enters at different times - creating counterpoint with one another.






7. Originally an improvised cadence by a soloist. Later it became a written out passage to display performance skills of an instrumentalist or performer.






8. A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts.






9. A symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo.






10. First developed in the 8th century - methods of writing music.






11. A direction in sheet music indicating the tempo is to be very fast.






12. Piece of instrumental music played between scenes in a play or opera.






13. The distance in pitch between two notes.






14. The range of an instrumental or a vocal part.






15. Movement in music where the characteristics are crisp and direct.






16. Eight full tones above the key note where the scale begins and ends.






17. Where the musical themes and melodies are developed - written in sonata form.






18. A set of six musicians who perform a composition written for six parts.






19. A set of six musicians who perform a composition written for six parts.






20. The movement of chords in succession.






21. A whole note is equal to 2 half notes - 4 quarter notes - 8 eighth notes - etc.






22. The tonal characteristics determined by the relationship of the notes to the tone.






23. Successive notes of a key or mode either ascending or descending.






24. One who directs a group of performers. The conductor indicates the tempo - phrasing - dynamics - and style by gestures and facial expressions.






25. A direction to play lively and fast.






26. The study of forms - history - science - and methods of music.






27. Dull - monotonous tone such as a humming or buzzing sound. Also a bass note held under a melody.






28. Tone color - quality of sound that distinguishes one verse or instrument to another. It is determined by the harmonies of sound.






29. A form of Italian opera beginning at the end of the 19th century. The setting is contemporary to the composer's own time - and the characters are modeled after every day life.






30. A direction in sheet music indicating the tempo is to be very fast.






31. A separate section of a larger composition.






32. In sheet music - a symbol at the beginning of the staff defining the pitch of the notes found in that particular staff.






33. Passage for the entire ensemble or orchestra without a soloist.






34. A quick 20th century dance written in double time.






35. Unmusical - without tone.






36. A contrapuntal song written for at least three voices - usually without accompaniment.






37. The study of forms - history - science - and methods of music.






38. The keyboard of a stringed instrument.






39. A musical form where the melody or tune is imitated by individual parts at regular intervals. The individual parts may enter at different measures and pitches. The tune may also be played at different speeds - backwards - or inverted.






40. Originally an improvised cadence by a soloist. Later it became a written out passage to display performance skills of an instrumentalist or performer.






41. A glissando or portamento. Also refers to the moving part of a trombone.






42. Elaborate polyphonic composition of the Boroque and Renaissance periods.






43. Either of the two octave arrangements in modern music. The modes are either major or minor.






44. A form of music written for marching in two-step time. Originally the march was used for military processions.






45. Introduction to an opera or other large musical work.






46. Written for 2 to 10 solo parts featuring one instrument to a part. Each part bears the same importance.






47. An instruction in sheet music to play softly. Abbreviated by a 'p'.






48. Groups of tones that are harmonious when sounded together as in a chord.






49. A form of music written for marching in two-step time. Originally the march was used for military processions.






50. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1800's and lasted about sixty years. There was a strong regard for order and balance.